Further Access Information

Q:
Why has the National Trust been managing access?

Natural England, the
Government's nature conservation agency, have judged the shingle vegetation and nesting birds on
the Spit to be at risk of further damage due to public disturbance. The
National Trust has a duty of care to look after this internationally recognised
and legally protected habitat. This is why we have proposed some measures that
we hope will reduce any future damage to this fragile habitat and
vulnerable species. Surveys by National experts have informed Natural
England reports and other management documents, which have drawn attention
to the need to manage access both on Orford Ness and on other areas of
vegetated shingle.

Q:
What is the problem with walking on the shingle?

The most important issues are
the cumulative effect of people over time on both the vegetation and shingle
structures and the time it takes for key communities of vegetation to recover
once disturbance has been removed where environmental conditions allow. We
are also concerned about disturbance to protected and at risk species when
establishing breeding sites and roosting.

Q:
Is there any evidence of damage?

Aerial and other photography
shows paths worn into the vegetated shingle over time and considerable
erosion of a habitat protected by British and European law. These paths
have also persisted over an extended period as can be seen by comparing
aerial photographs. Clear evidence
is also apparent on the ground, particularly in the form of the paths and
worn patches, created by obvious footfall where individual footprints are
visible in large quantities, and the dynamics of this process can be seen
by observing the direct effects of this footfall on the vegetation and
shingle structure.

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Q: Who has been
involved in the process?

We have held a stakeholder
workshop which was open to members of the public who expressed an interest in the issues. This
has been followed up with meetings with representatives of user groups and
the local community including the Parish Council and New Orford Town
Trust. We are happy to talk to anyone else who has something new to add or
is still unclear on what has been discussed and decided upon previously.

Q:
What are you trying to achieve?

We believe that a system
whereby people are better informed about the sensitivity and importance of the habitat, species and
shingle structure and are guided by interpretation panels, leaflets and
signs to reduce their impact is consistent with responsible management of
a national and international asset. Access is being maintained where
appropriate and people will be able to land, picnic in the specified
grassy areas near the river shore and walk to the sea via marked crossing
points. The scheme we have proposed, which has been devised through the
workshop and meetings described, is supported by Natural England and the
other user groups involved. As a consequence this is the plan we are implementing.
To date it has been publicised through a stop-gap post card distributed to
river users and visitors to the southern spit by NOTT, the sailing clubs,
the Regardless and National Trust Rangers. This lays out the crossing
points and guidelines for conduct that were agreed by the working group.
This will be followed up with further information as plans develop. Our
Rangers regularly visit the spit and talk to visitors.

Q:
Don't I have a right to access the spit?

There
is no public right of access to the beach across any piece of land not designated for access other
than on a public right of way such as the Crouch public footpath (Orford No.8).
We are happy for people to continue to visit the beach below the mean high
water mark by following the public right of way from the Crouch Hard towards
the beach and at the other marked crossing points which are not public rights
of way. We would like to come to arrangement that balances both
access and conservation.